Holwell Gain Back To Back League Wins

Holwell came back from a goal down at half time to take control of this match and eventually see it through to avenge the 5-2 defeat they suffered when playing at South Normanton in the reverse fixture earlier this season.

Daws had Stannard, and Chapman back in the squad after injury while Denigan and Smith had declared themselves fully fit after also carrying injuries over recent weeks.

Chapman came straight into the line up in place of the missing Calver, while Randall replaced the suspended Rose at the heart of the defence, with Denigan filling the void at full back. I.Wells also dropped out of the starting due to illness with Seward coming in to the line up.

With all the changes Holwell did the start the game full of energy but also rather disjointed as they looked to settle into a rhythm. With most of the play being contested in the middle of the pitch, it was no surprise that a mistake led to an opening goal. A slip and mis-communication at the heart of the Holwell defence allowed Newton to nip in and finish well to break the deadlock.

South Normanton grew in statue after this and although shading possession and territory never really threatened Stainsby in the Holwell goal until just before half time when his woodwork came to the rescue.

Unfortunately for Holwell and Chapman, he suffered a recurrence of his hamstring injury and limped off to be replaced by Smith after on 20 minutes.

Holwell came out for the second half with the familiar task this season of trying to overturn a first half deficit. The comeback truly become 5 minutes into the second half when G.Wells managed to get himself goal side of the South Normanton defence and struck the ball across goal and into the net to level the scores.

A further 5 minutes later Holwell took the lead after Mooney headed home a Foster freekick. With Holwell now in total control South Normanton were reeling and struggling to keep themselves in the game. Mooney and Hallam worked Smith in the Normanton goal from distance before Foster rattled his bar from a free kick. Stannard replaced Seward in an attempt to increase Holwell's advantage, and Barnard came on for Denigan.

Despite this Holwell failed to kill the game off and the sting in the tail came when a second defensive mishap enabled Newton to carry the ball into the box and shoot across Stainsby to level the scores.

With the game now totally stretched both sides pushed forward in search of the winning goal. Despite South Normanton pushing another man forward Barnard, Randall, Ridout and Smith stood firm and defended well in protecting Stainsby.

Holwell clinched the points with 5 minutes remaining when from a Foster corner, Hibbitt saw his header come back of the bar. Mooney was first to react and gleefully blasted the ball into the roof of the net.

With other teams around them winning it proved a crucial victory for Holwell, as they maintained 15th in the EMCL but also as they didnt lose any ground on the teams directly above them.

Holwell Lineup; Stainsby, Denigan, (Barnard 65 mins), Randall, Ridout, Chapman (Smith 20 mins), Foster, Hibbitt, Hallam, Seward (Stannard 60 mins), Mooney, G.Wells